Lili reacted immediately, clinging to the ropes of the ring as she leaned forward, her frustration spilling over as she tried to close the distance.
"No, Eliza! This is between me and her!"
But she didn't get any further.
Eliza's gaze shifted to her instantly, cold and precise, cutting through the space between them. The effect was immediate— Lili's movement stalled as if the air itself had grown heavier around her.
She stepped back, her fingers tightening around the ropes for a moment before releasing them, her fists clenching as she held her ground without pushing further.
Eliza turned her attention slowly toward Asuka, unhurried and deliberate. Her voice came out calm, almost taunting.
"And you, sweetheart? Are you sure you want to play with me?
Asuka didn't move. She just smiled as she stretched her neck…
Crack.
And then she looked at her, a fierce smile spreading across her face.
"I can't wait to wipe that smug grin off your face, vampire!"
Eliza bit her lip, and her eyes took on a deeper ruby glow. A subtle purple aura began to ripple around her body, moving like a quiet pulse.
"Oh, I love it when they sound confident right before they fall. Hehe…"
Outside the immediate circle of tension, Anne exhaled slowly, her shoulders dropping as she took in the scene unfolding in front of her.
"Oh, Elizabathe… pourquoi ?"
Lili crossed her arms, her expression was flickered between frustration and curiosity as she watched the other two prepare for the confrontation.
Threatening me like that, Eliza... just wait.
And you, Asuka... let's see how well you handle this.
- - -
GET READY FOR THE NEXT BATTLE
Sliding one foot back, Asuka lowered her stance, bent her knees and leaned forward. Both her fists clenched and held high in an offensive guard. Eliza lifted a hand delicately to her lips, suppressing another yawn.
"Hehe... do try not to bore me too quickly, sweetheart."
"Urusai!"
The ruby glow in Eliza eyes grew brighter as she slowly lowered her hand, becoming more and more excited.
Asuka moved first. She stepped in fast, driving her right fist straight toward Eliza's abdomen.
WHOOSH.
But the vampire shifted only a few centimeters to the side, letting the strike cut through empty air as though she had seen it coming long before it was thrown.
Twisting her waist instantly, Asuka launched a second punch with her left hand, this one aimed directly at Eliza's face, forcing the vampire to raise a hand.
SMACK.
Her palm met Asuka's fist and gently deflected the attack. Using the opening created by the deflection, Asuka stepped in again and drove her elbow upward in a sharp ascending strike.
Eliza leaned back smoothly, retreating just enough for it to miss, her body swaying to the rhythm of the background music.
"Hehe… fast, but still not fast enough, sweetheart."
Asuka gritted her teeth. That smug, half-asleep expression was starting to get on her nerves. She took a sharp breath, stepped back half a pace, then lunged again. Her fist shot forward in a direct strike toward Eliza's face.
The vampire moved to evade—but it was a feint. Twisting at the last second, Asuka pivoted on her front foot and drove a sharp side kick into Eliza's stomach.
THUD!
Eliza staggered back a step, her eyes widening ever so slightly in surprise. Asuka drew herself up, her gaze unwavering.
"Don't underestimate me."
For a brief moment, Eliza's smile vanished. Her hand slid over the spot where the blow had landed before a quiet chuckle escaped her. and then she turned away from Asuka
"Tu avais raison, Emilie…[1]" she said, turning away from Asuka, then glanced towards Lili. "She's far more of a woman than you are."
"Quoi!?" Lili's reaction was immediate, indignant. "Shut your mouth!"
"Oh… such hot-headed girls…" Eliza chuckled, as if the fight were a mere distraction. Without hesitation, Asuka lunged at her.
Laugh while you still have teeth.
With her fist clenched, she launched an attack at Eliza's back. But just before it could connect, Eliza leaped into the air.
Her body flipped over Asuka in a smooth aerial motion, passing just above her head by mere inches. She looked up, while Eliza looked down, ruby eyes gleaming. Face to face in midair, the vampire smiled.
"Bon courage…"
Tap.
She landed behind Asuka. And before she could even turn, Eliza pivoted, driving a powerful kick into her back, forcing to her knees.
WHAM!
"Ghk—!" The force sent Asuka crashing into the ropes, which snapped taut before throwing her again, just as she managed to grab hold of them.
"I do love it when they get confident. The disappointment is always so much… sweeter." Eliza slowly licked the corner of her lip.
Outside the ring, a smirk tugged at Lili's mouth.
"Pfft… serves you right, Kazama."
Asuka remained on one knee for a brief moment after the impact, her breathing heavy as pain pulsed across her back. Lifting her head, she first looked at Lili, whose triumphant smirk made her grit her teeth.
Then, a little further beyond her, Kaido stood a few meters back, silently watching. Their eyes met and his expression was serious, but he raised his fists in encouragement.
Asuka focused on him just long enough to catch the subtle movement of his lips.
"Get up. Show them who you are."
Taking a deep breath, a faint smile touched her lips as she pushed herself back to her feet.
Wakatta.
[1] You were right, Emilie…